What's Next?

I admit it, I'm a crazed "West Wing" fan (the tv series, not the part of the building).  My husband has recently discovered the series on Netflix, and he is amused and sometimes freaked out by how well I know the show, often quoting lines as the actors are saying them, for a show that I haven't watched since it went out of syndication.  I have a friend who calls me "Flamingo" - a secret service name given to one of the characters, and I call him either "Princeton" or "POTUS" to get a laugh in return (also secret service names of characters).  I think I've made the point, I like the show.

There is an amazing question embedded in so many episodes of the show, and that's why I'm featuring it today.  That question is, "What's Next?"  On the show, it is most often asked by the President of the United States or the White House Chief of Staff, and it comes right after the thrill of victory AND right after the agony of defeat.

The messaging is clear - celebration is good.  Get back to work.  Mourning is fine.  Get back to work.

Our work is never done whether we are raising money, loving our family, or working on ourselves.  With our careers, with our lives, with our joys, and with our sorrows.  It IS important to live in the now and to experience each moment as it comes.  But whether we are succeeding wildly or failing miserably, there is a point where we look to the future and ask, "What's Next?"

How'm I Doin'?

This morning I saw on the news that Ed Koch, former Mayor of New York, died.  Now I don't know much about his politics, what he accomplished (or didn't), or whether he was an effective Mayor.  What I can tell you is that I always loved Ed Koch, even though he was famous for his acid tongue and his sharp wit, but also for his generally affable personality.

So today's question is an homage to his traditional greeting when he spoke to crowds, when New Yorkers yelled at him on the streets, basically anywhere he went, he opened with his trademark, "How'm I Doin'?"

I love this question, and I see a larger value to it than merely a way for Mayor Koch to open conversation.

First, it suggests an investment in wanting to do well.  If I'm asking for feedback before it is offered, I reflect to my supervisor, my colleagues, my friends that I want to be all that I can be.  Can you imagine what our personal relationships would be like if we asked, "how am I doing as your friend?", "how am I doing as your spouse/partner?", "how am I doing as your child?"

Second, in a work setting, it pushes supervisors to provide ongoing feedback rather than just once a year evaluation (if they even do that) - a practice that is hopelessly ineffective and yields very little to actually improving job performance.  But most supervisors are uncomfortable with evaluation and won't provide ongoing feedback unless it is asked for, even with positive reviews.

Third, it's a great question to simply ask oneself.  In "Standing in the Fire: Leading High Heat Meetings With Clarity, Calm and Courage," author Larry Dressler recommends that when faced with situations packed with emotion and anger, one of the best things a facilitator can do is check in with him/herself and see how s/he is doing before managing the situation.

So thank you, Mayor Koch, for giving all of us this valuable question and some great memories.  For the record, you were doing great.